Theatrical device.



W, S 81. L. E. IOHNSON.

THEATBIGAL DEVICE APPLICATION FILED. OCT.14, 1918.

1,297,473, Patented Mar. 18,1919;

zoa/fse .5. 05/750 ATTORNE? EINTTED STATE$ PATENT @FFTQE.

WILLIAM S. JOHNSON AND LOUISE E. JOHNSON, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS.

THEATBICAL DEVICE.

Application filed October 14, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM S. JoHNsoN and LOUISE J OHNSON, citizens of the United States residing at J oliet, in the county of ill and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to theatrical devices. The object of our invention is to provide piece of furniture having the appearance of an ordinary phonograph cabinet which is made hollow to accommodate an actor.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cabinet of this character which adapts the same to be used in a performance which will afford surprise and amusement to the audience.

The invention consists of the novel construction, adaptation and combination of features, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet embodying our invention. Figs. 2 and 3 represent a person using the cabinet, which is shown in longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 4 is a representation of a person employing the cabinet which is illustrated in transverse vertical section.

The cabinet, as illustrated in the drawings, is formed with a top 5, sides 6, a front 7 and a back 8 in the nature of a door which is hinged to oneof the adjacent corner posts 9. Said corner posts desirably extend, as at 9 below the vertical walls of the cabinet to serve as legs. The top of the cabinet is provided with a central opening 10 of a diameter to permit a persons head and neck to be thrust therethrough but not his shoulders.

11 represents a cover or closure for open ing 10, connected at its rear to the top 5 by hinge 11 said closure being preferably formed with a beveled edge to seat upon a correspondingly beveled edge 10 about the opening so that when the cover is in its closed position, its upper surface will be flush with the upper surface of the to 5. The top 5 is furthermore disposed be ow the plane of the upper edges of the cabinets vertical walls to prevent the cover 11 being seen by the audience.

The cabinet front 7 is made to imitate in appearance the front of an ordinary phonograph cabinet by paneling the same to repre- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

Serial No. 258,034.

sent doors and havin in its upper portion an aperture 12 for the issuance of sound from the interior. WVithin this aperture is desirably provided scroll or lattice work, as indicated by 13, and to the rear of which is applied a screen 14L of finely woven fabric.

15 represents a megaphone suspended by a cord 15 as shown in Fig. 3, in position to be held upon occasion by the occupant (Fig. 2) against the screen.

Secured at a suitable height to the inside of the side walls 6 of the cabinet are handles 16 (Fig. 4;). A piece of cloth. 17 depending from the vertical walls of the cabinet to a depth equal to or greater than the lengths of the cabinet legs 9 is utilized to mask the actors feet when the cabinet rests upon the floor.

For convenience in transportation, the cabinet is preferably constructed to be what is known as knockdown; that is to have its walls separable from each other and enable it to be packed in a compact form.

The use of the invention will be best understood from a description of a theatrical act now being performed.

When the stage curtain rises and with the cabinet occupied by an actor and resting upon the stage, the actor, performing as a vocalist, uses the megaphone as indicated in Fig. 2 to entertain the audience; after which the actor grasps the handle 16 and lifts the cabinet, as represented in Fig. 4 with her feet exposed below the curtain 17 so that in dancing the audience can observe her steps in a most interesting way.

With the cabinet thus held, the performer thrusts her head through the opening 10 in the top and may complete her act in such position.

The advantages of the invention reside principally in the provision of a device which affords amusement and surprise to the audience.

What, we claim as our invention, is-

1. A theatrical device constructed in imitation of a phonograph cabinet with a sound emitting'aperture in its front wall, said device being provided with an opening in its rear, a door therefor, an opening in the top,

and a removable closure for the last named opening.

2. A theatrical device constructed in imitation of a phonograph cabinet having an open bottom, and an opening in its top through which a persons head may be protruded, and a removable closure for said top opemng.

3. A theatrical device constructed in imitation of a phonograph cabinet having an open bottom, and an opening in its top through Which a persons head may be protruded, a removable closure for said top opening, and a cloth depending from the cabinet to surround the bottom opening thereof.

4. A theatrical device constructed in imitation of a phonograph cabinet having an open bottom and an opening .in its top through which a persons head may be pro-' 15 truded, and means provided interiorly of the cabinet whereby the latter may be carried by an occupant in an elevated position.

' Witnesses:

E. PETERSON, PIERRE BARNES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ofiatents, Washington, 11.6?" 

